Catholic Church officials on Friday said the public should not judge people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes the dreaded Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
I am in my late 30s, still single and with no kids. I’ve only had two serious relationships that lasted six and nine months, respectively. I date once in a while and met this guy my age in April. It was spur of the moment but I gave him my number. I knew from the start that he’s not the serious kind. I don’t even know his status. I rejected him initially, but his persistence in sending me text messages made me go out with him on a date, and eventually we had sex. I could not resist him, not because I love him, but because I felt that I was already trapped in this kind of situation and had hoped that this will be it. Two months later, his wife learned about the affair and I ended it, which he willingly accepted.
The Love Yourself Project, an ongoing advocacy group that aims to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS shall present “How Do I Love Thee”—a fund raising exhibit featuring the works of noted photo-artist Ian Felix Alquiros.
It is sobering to know that in the Philippines, six new cases of HIV-infected patients are recorded everyday. Add this to the number of undocumented HIV-related deaths and a grim picture of a stealthy epidemic emerges. The lack of education and awareness about the disease, as well as the fear and stigma that surrounds the virus ensure that more and more unwitting persons are infected.
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